Avalanche forecast

Eastside Region

Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Large natural and human-triggered avalanches remain likely today as rain-on-snow and very warm temperatures continue to impact the forecast area. Recent avalanche activity and free-moving water in the snowpack indicate unstable conditions. Give yourself wide safety margins and be aware of your exposure to avalanche paths above you.

Avalanche problems

  • Wet Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1.5–3

    Several large slab avalanches were observed yesterday in the Bishop area.  Rain on snow and very warm temperatures have weakened the snowpack, increasing the likelihood of Wet slab avalanches.  Large natural slab avalanches are possible in some areas today.

    Managing a Wet Slab problem can be difficult, and there are often no warning signs before an avalanche release. Avalanches could fail naturally, or they may be triggered remotely from connected terrain features. If triggered, an avalanche may propagate beyond terrain features that typically contain surface instabilities, such as storm or wind slabs. It is also important to keep in mind that wet slab avalanches result in heavy, destructive debris flows that can gouge into old snow or to the ground. The best way to manage this problem today is to give yourself a wide safety margin. Avoid being on or under slopes over 30° and be aware of your exposure to avalanche paths above you.

    Very large natural avalanche on NE slope on Table Mountain, south fork of Bishop Creek. 

    Photo: Greg Cunningham

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Rain on snow and warm overnight temperatures prevented surface snow from refreezing. Wet Loose activity remains likely on all aspects. Steep slopes near and below treeline will be the most hazardous areas today. Rollerballs and large pinwheels can indicate deteriorating conditions, but avalanches are likely to release naturally and may occur with little or no warning. Keep in mind that a small Wet Loose avalanche could act as a trigger for a larger and more destructive Wet Slab avalanche. Give yourself wide safety margins today and be mindful of your exposure to steep slopes above you. 

     

    Photo: Sean Smollen

    Wet Loose activity on Mono Jim Peak. Convict area. 2/24/26

Avalanche Discussion

If I have learned anything in my time looking at snow, it is that snowpacks don't like sudden change.  The last week has brought a bit of whiplash to the range. A long drought period led to significant near-surface faceting, creating a fragile weak layer. Last week's winter storm buried it under several feet of new snow and, importantly, a lot of additional weight. Now, we are experiencing conditions more akin to late spring.  Rain on snow and very warm temperatures have led to free-moving water in the upper snow pack, destabilizing buried weak layers. It will be critical in the coming days to keep in mind that this process is likely to continue even as the rain stops and temperatures begin to rebound. As you plan your day, take a moment to recognize that the stability picture has changed significantly. It will take time for our snowpack to adapt. If you decide to venture outside, create travel plans that account for high levels of uncertainty and allow for large safety margins.

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